President of Davis' Second Chance Rottweiler Rescue removed by board following sick, dead dogs

A Davis Rottweiler rescue facility's board of directors voted unanimously to remove its president after Yolo County Sheriff's officials discovered 11 malnourished and three dead dogs last month.

Due to these recent events, Elaine Greenberg, who served as president of Second Chance Rottweiler Rescue for the past 12 years, has been the subject of a criminal investigation. The case has been forwarded to the Yolo County District Attorney's office for review, and no charges have been filed as of Monday, Chief Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Raven said.

A letter written by the board and posted on the rescue's website details the events on July 23, when a volunteer board member went to the property to help care for the dogs.

According to the document, during past visits, the facilities were clean and the dogs were well cared for and had plenty of food, water, and veterinary services, while July 23 was "dramatically different."

The volunteer who visited the Davis facility that day said Greenberg appeared "to have suffered some sort of medical issue, possibly a stroke or some sort of mental confusion."

Greenberg, 74, declined the volunteer's offer to take her to the hospital, allowing him to inspect the property, where he was "shocked" to encounter three deceased and 11 malnourished Rottweilers who were living in filthy kennels.

The volunteer, being a former law enforcement officer, did not hesitate to notify animal services to the condition of dogs, as well as Greenberg's mental state. He corresponded with the Sheriff's Office later that evening and learned they had visited the property and spoken with Greenberg, but had not seized the dogs.

"Because the dogs were not immediately taken by the authorities, we wanted to help the dogs ourselves. However, Animal Control instructed us not to visit the facility, not to place or remove any dogs from the facility, and not to contact Ms. Greenberg," the letter states. "Although we continued to be anguished for the dogs, we did as law enforcement instructed us to do."

In addition to removing her as president, the board removed Greenberg from the rescue's bank accounts, although there were no signs of financial wrongdoing.

"One of the more disheartening facts is that there were multiple bags of premium dog food still at her house, even though the dogs were not getting enough food in the final days before the volunteer's visit," the letter states.

Second Chance board members cooperated with animal services as the 11 remaining dogs were taken to Rotts of Friends Animal Rescue, also based in Davis, where one was in critical condition and eventually euthanized.

The remaining 10 dogs are being monitored by an animal services veterinarian.

"We supported the mission of the rescue because Elaine Greenberg has saved and rehabilitated countless abandoned and abused dogs," the letter states. "Ms. Greenberg's relentless dedication to saving Rottweilers for over 50 years makes the recent events even more heartbreaking."